Zipper foot attachment for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

A presser bar attachment for sewing machines of different types, accommodating the sewing of zipper tapes to garments. Zipper chains of different widths may be received between adjustably spaced foot elements engageable with the garment fabric. The foot elements are adjustably positioned to receive the needle through one of the aligned slots formed in both confronting edges of the foot elements.

United States Patent Gooderum Feb. 22, 1972 [54] ZIPPER FOOT ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES [72] lnventor: Leoda .1. Gooderum, 1133 Vine Street, La

' Crosse, Wis. 54601 [22] Filed: June 11, 1968 [21] Appl. No.1 736,166

[52] U.S.Cl ..ll2/240 [51] Int. Cl. ..D05b 29/12 [58] Field of Search ..l12/235-240, 151

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,794,022 2/1931 Levinson ..1 12/240 3,170,426 2/1965 Micale ..1 12/240 3,294,048 12/ 1966 Micale ..1 17/240 3,473,498 10/ 1969 Howell ..1 12/ 240 3,463,104 8/1969 Vrana et a1. ..l12/235 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A presser bar attachment for sewing machines of different types, accommodating the sewing of zipper tapes to garments.

Zipper chains of different widths may be received between adjustably spaced foot elements engageable with the garment fabric. The foot elements are adjustably positioned to receive the needle through one of the aligned slots formed in both confronting edges of the foot elements.

18 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 22 I972 SHEET 3 BF 3 Fig. /4

Fig. /5

Leoda J. Gaaderum ZIPPER FOOT ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES This invention relates to presser bar attachments for sewing machines and more particularly to a zipper foot attachment for engaging the fabric adjacent to and guiding a zipper as it is being sewn into a garment.

Special attachments to the presser bar of sewing machines for accommodating zippers are well known. One commonly utilized zipper foot attachment involves a single pivoted foot element both sides of which are provided with needle-receiving notches, the foot element being adjustably mounted so as to permit stitching of both zipper tapes to the garment. Another type of zipper foot assembly involves a zipper-guiding channel of fixed width having an opening through which the needle extends for stitching the zipper tapes. The foregoing zipper foot attachments are limited in use and involve certain inconveniences.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a zipper foot attachment to the presser bar of a sewing machine which will accommodate zippers of different widths and will not require disassembly in order to stitch zipper tapes adjacent the zipper pull tab. Further, the zipper foot attachment of the present invention may serve the functions presently associated with several different types of foot attachments presently known.

The zipper foot attachment of the present invention features a pair of fabric-engaging foot elements which are fixedly spaced apart by an adjustable amount to guide zippers of different widths in straight paths past the reciprocating needle of the sewing machine and may also be adjustably positioned without disassembly from the presser bar in order to allow stitching of the zipper tapes past the wider pull tap of the zipper. The fabric engaging foot elements may either be respectively aligned above the pair of fabric-feeding elements that project upwardly from the bed of the machine or altematively only one of the foot elements may be aligned above both of the feed elements. One of the foot elements is slidably mounted in a support member secured by an adjustable clamp to the presser bar. The other foot element is slidably mounted on the main foot element with releasable locking means for adjusting the spacing between the foot elements and the position of both foot elements relative to the needle bar. The adjusting facilities are such as to pennit positioning of the foot elements transversely of the direction of fabric feed on either side of the presser bar. Visible gauges are formed on the attachment in order to facilitate selection of the correct spacing between the foot elements forming a guide channel for the zipper as well as to facilitate selection of the needle positions in the needle-receiving slots formed in the confronting edges of the foot elements. The attachment is also capable of being mounted on different types of machines such as low shank, high shank and slant needle sewing machines. Dual needle and left needle position sewing machines are also accommodated. If desired, one of the two foot elements may be removed and the zipper foot attachment utilized in the same manner as the single foot element type of zipper attachment in common use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside inthe details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled parts of a zipper foot attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the parts of the zipper foot attachment assembled.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the zipper foot attachment installed on a typical sewing machine.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing the zipper foot attachment difierently adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4 showing the zipper foot attachment arranged for bypass of the zipper pull tab while continuing the stitching of the zipper tape.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational .view of a portion of a low shank type of sewing machine showing the zipper foot attachment mounted thereon.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of a high shank type of sewing machine showing the zipper foot attachment mounted thereon.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of a slant needle type of sewing machine showing the zipper foot attachment mounted thereon.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a portion of the machine as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 with the zipper foot attachment mounted.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line l0.-l0 in FIG. 3.

FIG. II is a top plan view of themounted zipper foot attachment being used with a single zipper foot element.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 12-12 in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 13-13 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing the attachment being used in a different manner for double-lapped zipper tapes.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the attachment as shown in FIG. 14. I

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 15 showing the attachment in another operational phase.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified form of attachment.

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the attachment of FIG. 17 in use.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of one of the disassembled parts shown in FIG. I viewed from the opposite side.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2020 in FIG. 18.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be observed that the zipper foot attachment is generally denoted by reference numeral 10. The attachment includes a support member generally referred to by reference numeral 12 adapted to be adjustably secured to the presser bar of a sewing machine by means of a clamp assembly 14. The support member slidably mounts a main foot element 16 adapted to be locked in a plurality of adjusted positions on the support member by a clamping screw 18. An auxiliary foot element 20 is slidably mounted on the main foot element and is adapted to be locked in adjustably spaced relation thereto by means of a frictional clamping screw 22 or optionally biased toward the main foot element by a tension device 21. The screw 22 extends through a spring 23 and washer 25. I

The support member 12 includes an elongated guide channel portion 24 and a mounting arm portion 26 which is in the form of a plate extending perpendicular to the channel guide portion at one end thereof. Adjacent to one vertical edge 28 of the mounting arm 26, a plurality of apertures are formed for cooperation with the clamp assembly 14 in order to secure the support member to the presser bar of the sewing machine. The apertures includescrew-receiving pores 30 and 32 vertically spaced from each other and an angular adjustment opening 34 located adjacent the top edge of the mounting arm. The openings 30, 32 and 34 are laterally spaced from the guide portion 24 which includes an upper channel leg 36 extending from the mounting arm along the entire length of the guide portion. A lower channel leg 38 extends from the end 40 of the guide portion and terminates in spaced relation to the mounting arm 26. The upper and lower channel legs of the guide portion are interconnected by a vertical web 42 within which a horizontal adjustment slot 44 is formed. The mounting arm 26 is of an inverted L-shaped configuration so as to form a passage 46 for purposes to be hereafter explained.

nnuvu n'uAr As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 9, the attachment 10 is mounted on the lower end of the presser bar 48 above the sewing machine bed 50 over which fabric is fed by means of the usual serrated feeding elements 51 (see FIG. 13) that project upwardly from the bed when the fabric is pressed down onto the bed by the foot attachment. The presser bar 48 is disposed in parallel-spaced relation to the needle bar 52 from which the sewing needle 54 extends downwardly in order to stitch the fabric by means of the thread 55 as the needle bar is reciprocated. The needle bar 52 is accordingly spaced in one direction from the presser bar on the side thereof opposite the side from which the support member 12 extends perpendicular to the direction of feed. The support member is secured in this position to the presser bar adjacent the lower end thereof by means of the clamp assembly 14. The clamp assembly includes a vertically elongated clamp plate 56 from which a pair of grip elements 58 extend adapted to embrace the presser bar and receive therebetween the grip screw 60 usually mounted on the lower end portion of the presser bar. When the clamp plate 56 is secured to the presser bar, it will mount the support member 12 in proper position by being secured to the mounting arm portion 26 thereof. Toward this end, the clamp plate 56 includes a pair of vertically spaced bores 62 aligned either with the openings 30 and 32 or with the openings 32 and 34 in the mounting arm 26 of the support member. Fastener screw assemblies 64 extend through the two pair of aligned openings in the clamp plate 56 and mounting arm 26.

The main foot element 16 includes an elongated slide body 66 as more clearly seen in FIG. 1 adapted to be slidably received between the upper and lower channel legs 36 and 38 of the guide portion 24 and in sliding contact with its web 42. Thus, vertical displacement is imparted to the presser bar through the attached support member 12 by the main foot element in both directions. A fabric or material engaging limb 68 extends downwardly and laterally in one direction from the slide body terminating in a remote upturned end 70. The material-engaging limb 68 extends laterally from a downturned end portion 72 of the slide body so as to avoid interference with the mounting arm as the slide body is displaced through the passage 46. The thickness of the slide body 66 while being wider than that of the channel legs 36 and 38, is such as to slidably fit through the passage 46. Thus, the slide body is slidably mounted by the guide portion 24 for displacement in both directions relative to its longitudinal axis. Displacement of theslide body in one direction is limited however by abutment of the end portion 72 with the end 74 of the lower leg 68 spaced from the mounting arm. Thus, the main foot element 16 is slidably displaceable so as to position the material-engaging limb in order to bring its inner edge 76 on either side of the presser, bar.

The slide body 66 may be locked in any adjusted position by means of the clamping screw 18 extending through the adjustment slot 44 into a threaded bore 78 formed in the side of the slide body contacting the web 42 as shown in FIG. 12. Accordingly, the slide body may be clamped to the guide portion of the support member by means of the shoulder on the clamping screw 18. Longitudinally spaced from the threaded bore 78 on the opposite side of the slide body is a second internally threaded bore 80 adapted to receive the other clamping screw 22 for locking the auxiliary element to the main foot element 16 in order to fixedly space a second material-engaging limb 82 from the first mentioned limb 68 as more clearly seen in FIGS.- 1, 2 and 3. The limb 82 extends downwardly and laterally from a channel body 84 having an upper channel leg 86, a lower channel leg 88 and an interconnecting web 90. An adjustment slot 92 is formed in the web 90 and is adapted to receive a peg 81 projecting from the body 66. The clamping screw 22 also extends through the slot 92 into the threaded bore 80 of the slide body 65 in order to frictionally lock the channel body 84 to the slide bodyin an adjusted position. The clamping screw 18 as sown in FIG. 12 includes a knob portion 94 spaced by the shoulder 96 from an externally threaded shank portion 98 threadedly received within the bore 78. The

upper and lower channel legs 36 and 38 slidably receive the slide body 66 so as to enclose the same together with the channel guide portion 24 of the support member. While the lower channel leg 88 of the auxiliary foot element extends between the ends 100 and 101 as shown in FIG. 19, the upper channel leg 86 is terminated in spaced relation to end 101 in order to expose an upper edge of the web flush with the slide body 66 to clear or pass through the passage 46 in the mounting arm 26 with the slide body 66. The end 102 on the upper channel leg 86 will therefore limit slidable displacement of the limb 82 in one direction. Thus, with the auxiliary foot element secured in an adjusted position by means of the clamping screw 22 to the main foot element 16, slidable movement of the interconnected foot elements will be limited in one direction by end 102 of channel leg 86 abutting the mounting plate 26 and in the other direction by abutment between the end 74 of the lower channel leg 38 on the support member abutting the end portion 72 of the slide body 66. The limits of movement will therefore be determined by the adjusted spacing between the limbs 68 and 82. The limits of adjustment in spacing the limbs from each other on the other hand will be determined by the length of the slot 92 and abutment between the edge 76 of limb 68 and the confronting edge 104 of limb 82. The adjustment slots 44 and 92 are dimensioned to accommodate the maximum slidable adjustment.

As hereinbefore indicated, displacement of the presser bar in both directions is effected through the support member by the main foot element 16. Similarly, such vertical movement is transmitted in both directions from the main foot element 16 to the auxiliary foot element 20 through the channel legs 86 and 88. Thus, both limbs 68 and 82 are displaceable by the feeding elements 51 during engagement with fabric being fed along the machine bed 50. Also, the confronting edge 76 and 104 of the limbs are provided with aligned needle-receiving slots 106 and 108 which Jflare outwardly in a downward direction as shown by broken away section in FIG. 6. Limb 68 of the main foot element 16 is also provided with a second needle-receiving notch 110 formed on the edge opposite the inside edge 76. In order to gauge the position of the needle 54 within either slot 106 or 108, position indicating indicia or scales 112 are formed on both limbs on the side of the slots remote from the presser bar. Thus, positioning of the interconnected foot elements to an adjusted position is facilitated by aligning the needle 54 relative to the scaled indicia along slot 106 or 108. This spacing between the limbs of the foot elements on the other hand, may be selected by aligning the end on thechannel body 84 of auxiliary foot element 20 with indicia 114 formed on the slide body 66 of the main foot element l6.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fabric-engaging limbs 68 and 82 of the zipper foot attachment extend downwardly a predetermined distance from the support member 12 in order to properly engage the fabric on the machine bed 50 when the attachment is secured to the presser bar of a low shank sewing machine with the fasteners 64 of the clamp assembly extending through the two lowermost openings 30 and 32 in the mounting arm 26. In a high shank type of sewing machine as shown in FIG. 7, the fasteners 64 of the clamp assembly 14 extend through the two uppermost openings 32 and 34 of the mounting arm 26 in view of the increased vertical distance between the lower end of the presser bar 48' and the machine bed 50. In a slant needle type of sewing machine as shown in FIG. 8, the parallel spaced presser bar 48" and needle bar 52" are disposed at an angle to the machine bed 50 Accordingly, the clamp unit 14 is then secured to the support member of the attachment at a corresponding angle necessary to hold the limbs of the attachment in proper position engaging the fabric. The angular position of the clamp assembly 14 on the mounting arm 26 is accommodated by the angular extent of the uppermost opening 34 as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the attachment 10 is readily adaptable to machines of different types.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fabric-engaging limbs 68 and 82 of the attachment are adjustable so as to fonn a guide chananln ll new! nel between which a zipper chain 116 of any width may pass whether locked as shown or unlocked. Further, both limbs may be laterally positioned on either side of the presser bar transversely spaced from the line of feed in order to receive the needle and stitch the zipper tape to the garment either close to the zipper chain as shown in FIG. 3 or further from the zipper chain as shown in FIG. 4. It will also be apparent that the needle may be spaced from the feed line on either side for reception in either the slot 106 or the slot 108 or that a machine having two needles may be accommodated. It will also be observed from FIGS. 4 and 5 that stitching 118 along the zipper tape may proceed toward the zipper pull tab 120 with the limbs 68 and 82 closely straddling the zipper chain 116. When approaching the pull tab 120, the foot elements may be repositioned as shown in FIG. 5 without disturbing the spacing therebetween and without disassembly thereof from the attachment in order to continue the stitching 118 without interfering with the pull tab which is wider than the zipper chain. The auxiliary foot element may also be removed from the attachment so that it may then be used in a conventional manner as shown in FIG. 11 employing a single limb 68. The notch 110 formed in the limb 68 will then function to receive the needle when stitching the tape on the other side of the zipper chain 116.

As more clearly seen in FIG. 13, the underside of limb 82 of auxiliary foot element 20 is provided with a recess 122 on one side thereof opposite the limb 68. The recess 122 will permit the limb 68 to firmly engage the zipper tape 124 adjacent the zipper chain 116 to hold it in engagement with the fabric-feeding elements 51. Without recess 122 an overlapping of the fabric 148 below limb 82 would prevent limb 68 from holding the fabric in engagement with the feeding element 51 since both limbs 68 and 82 have the lowermost surfaces thereof at the same level.

The tension device 21 aforementioned consists of a pair of hooks 126 and 128 respectively engageable in notches 130 and 132 formed on opposite sides of the limbs 68 and 82. The hooks are interconnected by an elastic band 134 of a length slightly shorter than the spacing between notches 130 and 132 when the limbs abut each other. Accordingly, when the tension device is installed, the limbs will be continuously urged toward each other.

Use of the tensioned device will be particularly desirable to yieldably guide movement of a zipper chain between the limbs 68 and 82 while slidably engaged therewith as shown in FIG. 16. When the attachment is so used, the clamping screw 22 is loosened to reduce the compression of spring 23 on washer 25. The element 20 may then be displaced to a position relative to the guide portion 24 of support member 12 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, prior to stitching along the zipper chain 116 on one side of the slider 120. The camming surface 93 at one end of slot 92 accommodates movement of the element 20 past the peg 81 against which the edge 101 is held in abutment by tension device 21. After the stitching seam has passed the slider 120, the element 20 is pulled away from support member 12 so that peg 81 may pass edge 101 to move into slot 92 and permit the tension device to perform its yieldable guiding function. The zipper chain tape may be stitched in this fashion on the other side and in the opposite direction with the needle in notch 106 of limb 68 and continue past the slider as the limb 82 is laterally displaced by the slider relative to the tape. The remote edge 136 of limb 82 is therefore provided with a camming curvature.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a modified form of attachment in which an adjustable stop device 138 is provided. This stop device will adjust the minimum spacing between the limbs when the attachment is being used with the tension device 21. The stop device includes a threaded shank 140 threadedly mounted in portion 142 of limb 68 having a guide pin portion 141 projecting into a bore 143 formed in a stop face 144 of limb 82'. An adjustment knob 146 is connected to the other end of the shank for changing the distance it projects from limb 68' toward limb 82. Thus, the stop device 138 will also guide displacement of the auxiliary limb 82' under the bias of tension device 21. This is particularly desirable when the stitching needle is received in notch 108' of auxiliary limb 82 during certain zipper installations.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle bar and a parallel presser bar spaced therefrom in one direction, a pressure foot assembly comprising an adjustable support member secured to the presser bar and extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said one direction, material-engaging means movably mounted by the support member and extending therefrom toward the needle bar, means for locking the material-engaging means to the support member in adjusted positions on opposite sides of the presser bar and clamp means adjustably securing the support member to the presser bar in a plurality of vertically and angularly adjusted positions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support member includes an elongated guide portion slidably mounting the material-engageing means, a mounting arm extending transversely from the guide portion to which the clamp means is connected, said mounting arm forming a passage between the clamp means and the guide portion through which the material-engaging means is movable between the positions on opposite sides of the presser bar.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said materialengaging means includes a slide body movably mounted in the support member, a first elongated limb extending from the slide body below the support member having an inside edge provided with a needle-receiving slot and an auxiliary element including a guide portion movably mounted on the slide body and a second limb having an edge confronting the inside edge of the first limb.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said locking means includes, separate clamping elements respectively securing the guide portions of the support member and the auxiliary element to the slide body, said guide portions forming confronting channels enclosing the slide body therebetween and having adjustment slots through which the clamping elements extend into the slide body.

5. In combination with a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle bar and a parallel presser bar spaced therefrom in one direction, a pressure foot assembly comprising an adjustable support member secured to the presser bar and extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said one direction, material-engaging means movably mounted by the support member and extending therefrom toward the needle bar, means for locking the material engaging means to the support member in adjust positions on opposite sides of the pressure bar, said material-engaging means including a slide body movably mounted in the support member, a first elongated limb extending from the slide body below the support member having an inside edge provided with a needle receiving slot and an auxiliary element including a guide portion movably mounted on the slide body and a second limb having an edge confronting the inside edge of the first limb.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said support member includes an elongated guide portion slidably mounting the material-engaging means, a mounting arm extending transversely from the guide portion to which the clamp means is connected, said mounting arm forming a passage between the clamp means and the guide portion through which the material engaging means is movable between the positions on opposite sides of the presser bar.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said locking means includes, separate clamping elements respectively securing the guide portions of the support member and the auxiliary element to the slide body, said guide portions forming confronting channels enclosing the slide body therebetween and having adjustment slots through which the locking means extends into the slide body.

8. In combination with a sewing machine having spaced needle and pressure bars, a material-engaging assembly comprising an elongated support member, clamp means securing the support member to the presser bar in perpendicular spaced relation to the needle bar, a pair of foot elements slidably mounted by the support member extending from the presser bar beyond the needle bar, said foot elements having confronting edges with aligned needle-receiving slots formedv therein, and positioning means for releasably locking at least one of the foot elements to the support member with the needle-receiving slot in one or the other of the foot elements aligned below the needle bar.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means for yieldably urging said foot elements toward each other.

10. The combination of claim 9 including adjustable stop means for limiting the spacing between said foot elements to a minimum amount.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein one of said foot elements is provided with a recessed undersurface and a curved camming edge at an end remote from the presser bar.

12. The combination of claim 8 including adjustable stop means for limiting the spacing between said foot elements to a minimum amount.

13. The combination of claim 8 wherein one of said foot elements is provided with a recessed undersurface and a curved camming edge at an end remote from they presser bar.

14. In combination with a sewing machine having spaced needle and presser bars and fabric feeding means, a fabric-engaging assembly including a pair of foot elements having fabric-engaging surfaces, means mounting the foot elements on the presser bar in spaced relation to each other with the engaging surfaces at the same level, at least one of the foot elements being engageable with fabric over the fabric feeding means, the other of the foot elements having a recess in the engaging surface thereof adapted to engage fabric of uneven thickness.

15. An attachment for a sewing machine having a presser bar, including material-engaging means adapted to be secured to the presser bar, an auxiliary foot element, and means for mounting the auxiliary foot element in adjustable laterally spaced relation to the material-engaging means.

16. The attachment set forth in claim 15 including releasable locking means for holding the material-engaging means and the auxiliary foot element in adjusted positions relative to the presser bar.

17. The attachment as set forth in claim 16 wherein the material-engaging means includes a slide body on which the auxiliary element is slidably mounted for lateral movement, and an elongated limb extending from the slide body transversely thereof below the presser bar in substantially parallel spaced relation to the auxiliary element.

18. The attachment as set forth in claim 15 wherein the material-engaging means includes a slide body on which the auxiliary element is slidably mounted for lateral movement, and an elongated limb extending from the slide body transversely thereof below the presser bar in substantially parallel spaced relation to the auxiliary element. 

1. In combination with a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle bar and a parallel presser bar spaced therefrom in one direction, a pressure foot assembly comprising an adjustable support member secured to the presser bar and extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said one direction, materialengaging means movably mounted by the support member and extending therefrom toward the needle bar, means for locking the material-engaging means to the support member in adjusted positions on opposite sides of the presser bar and clamp means adjustably securing the support member to the presser bar in a plurality of vertically and angularly adjusted positions.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support member includes an elongated guide portion slidably mounting the material-engageing means, a mounting arm extending transversely from the guide portion to which the clamp means is connected, said mounting arm forming a passage between the clamp means and the guide portion through which the material-engaging means is movable between the positions on opposite sides of the presser bar.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said material-engaging means includes a slide body movably mounted in the support member, a first elongated limb extending from the slide body below the support member having an inside edge provided with a needle-receiving slot and an auxiliary element incLuding a guide portion movably mounted on the slide body and a second limb having an edge confronting the inside edge of the first limb.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said locking means includes, separate clamping elements respectively securing the guide portions of the support member and the auxiliary element to the slide body, said guide portions forming confronting channels enclosing the slide body therebetween and having adjustment slots through which the clamping elements extend into the slide body.
 5. In combination with a sewing machine having a reciprocable needle bar and a parallel presser bar spaced therefrom in one direction, a pressure foot assembly comprising an adjustable support member secured to the presser bar and extending therefrom substantially perpendicular to said one direction, material-engaging means movably mounted by the support member and extending therefrom toward the needle bar, means for locking the material engaging means to the support member in adjust positions on opposite sides of the pressure bar, said material-engaging means including a slide body movably mounted in the support member, a first elongated limb extending from the slide body below the support member having an inside edge provided with a needle receiving slot and an auxiliary element including a guide portion movably mounted on the slide body and a second limb having an edge confronting the inside edge of the first limb.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said support member includes an elongated guide portion slidably mounting the material-engaging means, a mounting arm extending transversely from the guide portion to which the clamp means is connected, said mounting arm forming a passage between the clamp means and the guide portion through which the material engaging means is movable between the positions on opposite sides of the presser bar.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said locking means includes, separate clamping elements respectively securing the guide portions of the support member and the auxiliary element to the slide body, said guide portions forming confronting channels enclosing the slide body therebetween and having adjustment slots through which the locking means extends into the slide body.
 8. In combination with a sewing machine having spaced needle and pressure bars, a material-engaging assembly comprising an elongated support member, clamp means securing the support member to the presser bar in perpendicular spaced relation to the needle bar, a pair of foot elements slidably mounted by the support member extending from the presser bar beyond the needle bar, said foot elements having confronting edges with aligned needle-receiving slots formed therein, and positioning means for releasably locking at least one of the foot elements to the support member with the needle-receiving slot in one or the other of the foot elements aligned below the needle bar.
 9. The combination of claim 8 including means for yieldably urging said foot elements toward each other.
 10. The combination of claim 9 including adjustable stop means for limiting the spacing between said foot elements to a minimum amount.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein one of said foot elements is provided with a recessed undersurface and a curved camming edge at an end remote from the presser bar.
 12. The combination of claim 8 including adjustable stop means for limiting the spacing between said foot elements to a minimum amount.
 13. The combination of claim 8 wherein one of said foot elements is provided with a recessed undersurface and a curved camming edge at an end remote from the presser bar.
 14. In combination with a sewing machine having spaced needle and presser bars and fabric feeding means, a fabric-engaging assembly including a pair of foot elements having fabric-engaging surfaces, means mounting the foot elements on the presser bar in spaced relation to each other with the engaging surfaces at the same level, at least one of the foot elements being engageable with fabric over the fabric feeding means, the other of the foot elements having a recess in the engaging surface thereof adapted to engage fabric of uneven thickness.
 15. An attachment for a sewing machine having a presser bar, including material-engaging means adapted to be secured to the presser bar, an auxiliary foot element, and means for mounting the auxiliary foot element in adjustable laterally spaced relation to the material-engaging means.
 16. The attachment set forth in claim 15 including releasable locking means for holding the material-engaging means and the auxiliary foot element in adjusted positions relative to the presser bar.
 17. The attachment as set forth in claim 16 wherein the material-engaging means includes a slide body on which the auxiliary element is slidably mounted for lateral movement, and an elongated limb extending from the slide body transversely thereof below the presser bar in substantially parallel spaced relation to the auxiliary element.
 18. The attachment as set forth in claim 15 wherein the material-engaging means includes a slide body on which the auxiliary element is slidably mounted for lateral movement, and an elongated limb extending from the slide body transversely thereof below the presser bar in substantially parallel spaced relation to the auxiliary element. 